I’ve not had the chance to do an interview for a little while so it’s nice to share this one with you from a personal fav from the streets of Barcelona – Dako.

I hope you enjoy you reading his words as much as I did.

Hi Dako how are you? Tell us a little about yourself…

Hi! I’m an illustrator and graphic designer from Barcelona. I’m 33 years old and I love cartoons, comic-books and classic sci-fi movies. Since about a year, I’m introducing to tattooing also.

How did it all start for you? Were you one of those kids always scribbling on notebooks at school?

Sure in notebooks, schoolbooks, walls (with crayons)… Since I can remember, I just wanted to draw all the time. I started drawing characters from the cartoons I used to watch in TV. Ninja Turtles, Dragon Ball… My goal when I was a kid was to become a comic book artist.

That’s a good goal to have! What was the first ‘spark’ for you to pick up a spray can and hit the streets?

When I was a teen I met a bunch of b-boys at school. They were always signing with spray cans everywhere, and I was intrigued about it. I’ve started to sign walls shyly, and shorty after I began with bigger pieces.

I’m a big fan of your work, I love the random characters, zombies and aliens but done with humour instead of them being scary… Where does the inspiration come from for your characters and walls?

Thank you! Essentially from comics, Akira Toriyama’s Dr. Slump, and the spanish master Francisco Ibanez. I love their classic and silly jokes for all audiences, and all the references they include in their work.

Also from 80’s and 90’s cartoons, their crazy fluorescent colours transport me to my childhood. And, of course, I’m heavily inspired by The Simpsons.

I am happiest when I see your walls with early 90’s wrestlers, reminds me of my childhood as I was obsessed with WWF as a kid and I love hearing obscure wrestling references in rap songs. Is it the same for you?

Wrestling hit hard when I was a kid. I loved it. Besides the nostalgia, the WWF were pure madness. An explosion of creativity. They deserve to be remembered!

When working on a wall do you have a plan in mind when you start a piece? Or do you like to look at the wall and the surroundings and take inspiration from there?

I always make a well defined sketch, with the colour scheme. The problem is I never buy the right cans… So I often have to improvise a bit.

With this in mind what do you find to be the most difficult part of the creative process? I’ve read other artists speak about the fear of the blank page/canvas, do you ever get this?

Not really, there are so many ideas floating around, so many influences that I’ve got no time to draw them all. Maybe the most difficult part is convert this concepts into worthwhile designs, and reproduce this ideas according to my skills.

Do you have a favourite city or place to share your art? Is there a dream city or country or wall even that you’d like to visit and leave some of your pieces?

Until now, I’ve only painted in Barcelona and outskirts. I’m a little shy… Maybe I’ll take some cans in my next trip…

You collaborate with Wahab quite a bit, do you enjoy collaborating with other artists? Do you feel like it adds something different to the creative process?

I collaborate with Wahab since I met him, like 16 years ago. He’s my best friend and we’ve worked together several times. I’ve learned a lot of things from him. This is the best part of collaborate with other artists, the process is always rewarding, and your skills always get improved.

Something I really enjoy is hearing which artists inspired other artists. Which artists inspired you growing up and who’s work do you really like just now? And is there any artist you would love to work with?

Akira Toriyama, Francisco Ibáñez, Matt Groening… In the last years, the painter Todd Schorr became a big influence too. His work is insane.

I’d like to work with more graffiti artist from Barcelona area, and keep learning.

Todd Schorr’s work is bananas! Just to speak about something different for a minute, tell us something about yourself that maybe not many people would know!

I really, really hate centipedes… They make me sick.

If you could be anyone or anything for a day who or what would you be?
Jimi Hendrix!

Do you have any upcoming shows or projects we should know about? Are you currently exhibiting your works anywhere?

I’m not exhibiting right now. But I hope to participate in some art show soon, with the buddies from the studio where I’m apprenticing, they’re always preparing events and stuff.

My main project right now is to focus on tattoo, keep improving and became a good tattoo artist.

I might have to tap you for a WWF inspired tattoo! Is there anything else you’d like to share with us before you go?

I really appreciate the interview, thank you. I think that everything is already said, it was a pleasure. Cheers!

If you want to check any more about Dako’s work you can hit the links below!